Victoria County spellers take the stage Thursday

Victoria County elementary and middle school spellers will take the stage at Victoria College's Johnson Symposium Center on Thursday for a shot at a spelling bee championship.

Twenty-seven students, from every elementary and middle school in the county, will compete for prizes and a chance to spell at the regional spelling bee in March.

"Kids in the second-grade competing right against kids in the eighth-grade really shows the level of intelligence these students have," said Jennifer Yancey, VC vice president of advancement and external affairs.

The bee is sponsored by VC, the Victoria Advocate and the Region III Education Service Center.

The bee lasts about six rounds, and the top two contestants will advance to the regional bee at 6 p.m. March 22 at Victoria East High School.

Winners also receive a copy of "Time For Kids That's Awesome: The World's Most Amazing Facts & Records," and the book "Pirates," which features history and pirate trivia.